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Ilyushin IL-76MD-90A (IL-476) Aircraft

Ilyushin IL-76MD-90A is a new military transport aircraft (code name: IL-476) developed by Ilyushin Aviation Complex, a subsidiary of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). It is a modernised version of the IL-76MD which itself is based on the IL-76 cargo aircraft platform.

IL-76 cargo aircraft

The IL-76MD-90A cargo aircraft is manufactured at the Aviastar-SP production facility in Ulyanovsk. The factory test flight of the first IL-76MD-90A was concluded in January 2013.

First experienced the upgraded transport plane Sludge-76MD-90A built an aircraft factory “Aviastar-SP”Ulyanovsk and preparing for flight tests.

The aircraft successfully completed its maiden flight test in March 2013, near Moscow. It flew at altitudes of 2,000m to 10,000m for a period of one hour and 55 minutes during the test flight.

The flight test programme of IL-76MD-90A is expected to conclude by the third quarter of 2014.

IL-76MD-90A is developed to transport a range of military equipment, armed personnel, heavy and long size vehicles and cargoes. It will also be used in parachuting cargo / troops and other air borne cargo missions.

Orders and deliveries of the Russian military transport aircraft

The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a $4bn contract with UAC for the delivery of 39 IL-76MD-90A aircraft, in October 2012. The deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2014.

Aviastar

Excerpt

The Russian air force has taken into service the first modernized Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A heavy airlifter.

The aircraft, serial number 0105, was handed over to the military at the Aviastar-SP assembly facility, a subsidiary of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) in Ulyanovsk, on Dec. 2. It was flown to the 610th Combat and Conversion Training Center of the military transport aviation in Ivanovo, in central Russia, the next day.

This airframe, named after Viktor Livanov, a former CEO and chief designer of the Ilyushin design bureau, became the third serial Il-76MD-90A variant assembled in Ulyanovsk.

Excerpt

The first export order for the Il-76MD-90 cargo plane could very well be Kazakhstan. It’s been reported by Russian media that both defense ministers are in discussions over a number of military-technical issues which not only include the Il-76, but Yak-152 and Yak-130 trainers. Other potential export customers include Algeria, Iran and South Africa.

IL-76MD-90A design, based on the IL-76

The IL-76MD-90A is based on the same airframe and fuselage of IL-76 aircraft. The cargo aircraft integrates advanced features such as redesigned wing section, new cockpit with modern avionics and powerful engines.

The aircraft has a length of 46.6m, height of 14.76m, wing span of 50.50m and a wing area (trapezoidal) of 300m². The landing gear track (outer wheels) and fuselage mid-section diameter of the aircraft are 8.16m and 4.8m respectively.

The IL-76MD-90A has a maximum take-off weight of 210t and can carry a maximum payload of 52t. It can accommodate up to five crew members.

Cockpit and avionics of the Ilyushin aircraft

The advanced glass cockpit of the IL-76MD-90A is installed with three intelligent control panels and a KSEIS-KN-76 aircraft status master monitor display system with eight multifunctional liquid crystal displays. The glass cabin provides better view to the cabin crew.

The IL-76MD-90A also integrates a digital ACS-76 auto flight control system and a new Kupol-III-76M flight sight navigation system with a display indication.

Kupol-III-76M flight sight navigation system

Image: aviadejavu.ru

IL-76MD-90A cargo handling capabilities

The cargo cabin of the aircraft is designed with a length of 24.5m (with ramp), width of 3.45m, and height of 3.4m. The cargo cabin offers an interior volume of 321m³.

“The IL-76MD-90A is based on the same airframe and fuselage of IL-76 aircraft.”

Il-76MD-90A is capable of carrying 126 parachutists or 145 troops in single deck arrangement and 225 troops in double-deck arrangement. It can also be installed with special equipment to carry 114 injured persons.

The aircraft is installed with an Aerial-Delivery System (ADS) for dropping of cargoes, transportation of armed forces cargo containers and pallets, and troop parachutes.

The ADS installed onboard the IL-76MD-90A facilitates dropping of parachutists from an altitude of 8,000m at 220km/h to 400km/h speeds. It also enables equipment dropping with the help of parachutes from altitudes of 300m to 4,000m at 260km/h to 400km/h speeds.

On the cargo compartment floor and ramps are installed with four roller monorail track in two versions: in special niches for landing platforms on the beams for the transport of air containers and pallets. Source survincity.com

The cargo dropping system aboard the aircraft ensures the dropping of platforms laden with shipments and equipment. The under-ladder devices, roller ways and winches in the cabin allow the loading of cargoes and equipment into the aircraft.

4 x PS-90A-76 turbofan bypass engines

PS-90A-76 engine (PS – Pavel Soloviev) is a modification of PS-90A turbofan bypass engine. It extends service life of the large fleet of the IL-76 transport airplanes and raises their efficiency by installation of the PS-90A-76 engine instead of the D-30KP. It allowed to build a new modification of the IL-76 airplane – the IL-76MF military cargo aircraft which meets modern requirements.

Image: hiveminer.com

The PS-90A-76 engine on board the IL-76MD-90A aircraft is compliant with latest ICAO requirements for noise and emission levels. An Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) TA-12A is installed onboard the aircraft.

TA-12A APU

TA12-60 is a single-shaft auxiliary gas-turbine engine with the equivalent power of 360 kWt. This engine is designed for aircraft and helicopter APUs. It is used for air turbine start of the helicopter and aircraft mid-flight engines, AC electric power of 115/200 V, power up to 60 kWA and providing air conditioning for cockpit and cabins.

High overall efficiency of the engine is based on the use of a 4-stage axial compressor. An annular reverse-flow combustion chamber of evaporative type provides 0,99 burning and low content of hydrocarbons in the exhaust gases. The engine contains a 3-stage axial turbine. Driving units, including alternator, are installed on the engine’s gearbox.

The noise level of the TA12-60 engine, when installed on the craft, does not exceed 90 dB.

The engine complies with the Norms of Aircraft Airworthiness (NLGS-3); this is confirmed by a type certificate No 101-VD issued by the Aviation Register of the IAC.

Since 2005 the TA 12-60 APU has been operated under the second strategy. The TA 12-60 APU is operated subject to the technical condition till the specified life time of the principle components is terminated (4,000 hr/starts).

Performance of the IL-76MD-90A

The aircraft can cruise at a speed of 820-850km/h. It can fly at a maximum altitude of 12,000m. The maximum range of the aircraft is 8,500km. The aircraft requires 1,700m take-off distance on concrete runway.

The life expectancy of the IL-76MD-90A military transport aircraft is 30 years. The aircraft can accumulate a maximum of 30,000 flying hours throughout its service life.